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Pope Francis has died, Vatican says in video statement
He was 88, and had suffered various ailments in his 12 year papacy.
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Pope Francis greets the crowd from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after the Urbi et Orbi message and blessing to the city and the world as part of Christmas celebrations at St Peter's square in the Vatican on Dec. 25, 2024. (AFP/Alberto Pizzoli)
P
ope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday, ending an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the hidebound institution.
He was 88, and had suffered various ailments in his 12 year papacy.
Yesterday, Pope Francis called for freedom of thought and tolerance in his Easter Sunday address, as the weakened pontiff delighted the crowds of Catholic faithful by making a much hoped-for holiday appearance, even circling St Peter's Square in his popemobile.
"Happy Easter," said the 88-year-old Argentine pope in a weak voice from his wheelchair on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, to the great joy of the crowd in the flower-filled square below.
The pope's convalescence from pneumonia has kept him away from most Holy Week events but Francis made a major effort on Sunday, waving at the crowd and blessing babies from his popemobile for nearly 15 minutes despite appearing listless.
After giving his Easter greetings to the crowd, estimated at more than 35,000 people, from the basilica's balcony, Francis delegated the reading of his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and the World") benediction to an associate.
"There can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for the views of others," read his speech, which also condemned "worrisome" anti-Semitism, and the "dramatic and deplorable" situation in Gaza.
With his health still delicate following five weeks in hospital for pneumonia in both lungs, it had not been certain whether the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics would be present, or if so, in what capacity.
Also on Sunday, Pope Francis held a private meeting at the Vatican with US Vice President JD Vance, the Vatican said in a statement.
Vance, a Catholic who has clashed with the pontiff over the Trump administration's immigration policies, met Francis at his Vatican residence to exchange Easter greetings, the statement said.
"Pope Francis had a brief private encounter ... lasting a few minutes, in order to exchange good wishes on Easter day," said the statement. After Easter Mass, the pope later appeared in St. Peter's Square to greet crowds in an open-air popemobile.
